Retractable head lamp



Feb. 13, 1945.

E. HUMER RETRACTABLE HEADLAMP 5 sheets-sheet 1V Filed March 25, 194:5

:inventor Bg i y Gttornegs Feb. 13, 1945. F. HUMER RE'IRACTABLE HEADLAMP rch 25, 1943 5 sheets-sheet 2 `Filed M Feb. 13, 194s. F. HUMER 2,369,295

RETRACTABLE HEADLAMP Filed March v25, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Snnentor Feb. 13, 1945. F, HUMER l 2,369,295

RETRACTABLE HEADLAMP -Filed March 25, 1943 5 SheetS-Sheei 4 Feb. 13, 1945. F. HUMER RETRACTABLE HEADLAMP Filed March 25, v1943 5 SheetS-Shee. 5

` tozcausethecoverand lamp tomove;` i l l`I`Jatented Feb. 13, 1945 i Umm STATE si PATENT t OFFICE `RETRAe'rABLE HEADLAMP A u vf :rank,Humer,;Detroit, ,Michgassignor to General. 3.

` i `Motors" Corporation, Detroit,

"` tion of Delaware Mich., a corpora-l asapplied to automotive vehicles.`

i The headlamps oftheinvention aremounted to move` into and out of openings in the front fenders of the vehicle.` Acover or shutteris also applied and moves over the opening to close it', or rearwardly into thelfender to expose the open-` ing, depending upon the position of theheadf` lamp. i The lamps and covers on the two` sidesv of the vehicle are equipped with similar mecha` nisms` to enable them to move simultaneously"` and cooperatively to and awayfrom the openings,` andr these mechanismsat the oppositesid'es of the lvehicle are interconnected to cause them-tomove in unison. `A gear and segmentapplied toA one `mechanism is operatedbyga rack which inturn is manually operated from the dashi and the operation ofthe rack will causeboth` mechanisms Referring tothe drawings, l` indicates an automotive vehicle! providedV with the-usual hood 3.

havingI a: removablefor" hinged door 4, front. fenders:64 and 8',`andinstrument` panel lilla` .The fenders 6i and: 8 `arel provided with openings `It.' at their fore parts; These .openingsrcan be covered' by the. covers or `shutters lrldwhich: conform to` the general` contour of thefender, or` theremay be received in thelopenings..thezheadlamps t6.

to` `iunctionvto` cause the lamps to move into the openings and the shutters or covers away fromf the openings; i r i `In the cooperative movement; of the cover andlamp, both are" caused simultaneouslyto turn on `fixed axeseither clockwise' to causethe lamps' tol move into the openings'and` the coversawayfrom: the openings, or `to turn counterelockwise tol openings and` the'v movethe lamps out of the covers overt'he openings.

Thefstructure, and mechanism attached tothe l headlamps and` covers "at the `two sides ofthe vehicle isthewsameand the: description of one: will sufficefor. both'.` i

Referring to `liligurel 6,the headlamp hassecured theretothe angle irons `I8 which are; `pro--K-l vided with"threadedlopenings A trim or nishingmember or housingI 20;` surrounds thelamp and` is `secured tothe; angle irons by the screws 22y threaded into4 the` openings in theqirons i8. A rubber'or fabric 2lil is secured. to the member 2.0and makes a tight waterproof joint `be-` tween `the lamp L6; and the member.` -Themem- 1A sealing means is provided`r` between thelamp and theopening and between the-` cover and the opening to forma weathertight connection" when l Q thelamp` or thecoveris'i'n the opening.

Other' novel parts of the invention relate tofu speciicdetails of construction of the "Onthedrawings i u Figure 1\ isa plan View of the front part of an automotive Vehicle showing-the invention applied. i l

Figure 2r is an enlargedsectional View on the line 2-"2 of Figure l1, showing the cover or'shut` ter `in position' over the fender opening and the headlamp inretracted position under the fender'.`

liigureV 3` is .an enlarged sectional viewfon the line f 3"`-3'- of Figure 1, illustrating themanually operable mechanismv ito*` cause the the covers and headlampsl operation of Figure 4 is an enlargedfsectional",view similar to Figure 2, but showingthe cover in retracted position under "the fender and the headlamp in its operativeposition in the fender opening.

`Figures 5- and' 6 are sectional. viewstalen on the lines"55` and 6 6? of Figure 4. Figure 7 is an enlarged sectionalt detailed View on theline T-l ofi'igurei` 1.

mechanisms a5 i p ed and this box secured to. the fender by. the` edgel anges. 34. Inside this boirthere is mounted .i the mechanism for moving or.. operatingthe `cover over the edgelo'fa retainer ring, 3B which holds ber20 is secured to a frame 26 as .by welding and this frame has a; peripheral shape to enable it to ttin'. the opening t2 and an outer surface to` enable -tto conform tothe exterior shape of the." fender 6. or 8.. `A rubber or fabric: sealing ring or Washery28 isi-mounted` in.. a frame 3.0 which is; secured to the edge of the frame 26u.. Whenfthe lamp. `lli` isv in. the opening, i2,` thesealing ring 2.8.. is4 pressed againstlvthe inclinedrflange `2.9 at. theedge ofthe opening; tittemakeavvaterproot` seal or joint as is shownin Figure Il.` x Under each fender 0128 immediatelybehind the. openings I2,.a housingor box 3.2 isconstructldandthelamp |16.A i t The cover M' is shaped toi't in the opening l2 and the edge ofthe cover is `flanged `inwardly a rubber orv fabricfsealingmemberor washer 38..

When the cover I4` is in theopeningthe `rub-iter or fabric ring 38 forms a waterproof' seal with Q of' the. opening 1'2,l as, shown,

flange 29ay at the edge inFi'gureZ. .t i t t The headlamp t6 i'sprovided with a'lens 40 at `its front and has a`cy1indrcal'extension i12` at its backpart. This part 42"` has an opening 43. for the lead wires tothe bulb ofthe headlamp. To

this cylindrical' extension there is rigidly secured l the semicylindrical recessed part 44' of, a4 metal `headlamp support-, `46., This support is generally Usha`ped with' the recess 4`4"at the middle ofthe place by nuts 53.

base of the U. The arms 48 of the support extend in an upward direction when the lamp is in operative position as shown in Figures 4 and 6. Each arm 48 is provided with an opening to receive bolts 50 which act as journals for the arms 48 to enable the support 46 and its attached headlamp to turn to swing into and away from the opening I2. The bolts are mounted in or supported'by angle irons 52, secured by screws 54 to the sides of the box 32. The bolts 50 are held in A reinforcing and strengthening plate 56 is applied at one side of the box and a reinforcing plate 58 at the other side. The screws 54 pass through both plates 56 and 58.

The cover I4 is rigidly secured to a bracket 60 formed of a single piece of metal and suitably bent to the desired shape. The bracket 60 has two transverse parts 62 which are directly secured to the back of the cover; two legs 64 at each side and bent at substantially right angles to the transverse parts 62; and two connecting arms 66,y

one arm at each side joining the legs 54. Each arm 66 has` rigidly secured thereto a spacer 68 or 10 and the spacer 10 has rigidly securedvthereto a gear segment 12. A bolt 14 passes through an 'opening in the arm 66 and through a bore in the spacer 68 and is secured to the side 32 of the box by means of a nut 16 (see Figure 5). This bolt 14 forms a journal for the arm 66 at one side of the box. At the opposite side of the box a spacer 18 is secured to the side wall 32 by means of screws 80. The end of a shaft 82 passes through bores in a bearing 84, welded to the plate 58, through the kplate 58, the side of the box I32, the spacer 18, the segment 12, the spacer 10, and through an opening in the arm 66. The shaft end has a shoulder 86 which abuts against a mating shoulder 88 in the spacer 10 and a nut, 1| screwed on the end of the shaft rigidly unites the shaft to the segment 12 and arm 66. The bore in the parts 84, 58, 32 and 18 forms a bearing for the shaft end. The shaft 82 and the bolt 14 are on a common axis.

As is best seen in Figure 5, the legs 43 of the support 46 extend beyond and between the lateral legs 64 of the bracket 60. The end of each leg 48 is provided with an opening to receive a stud 90 which forms a pivot for one end of a link 92,

the other end.I of which is pivoted at 94 to the arms 66 operatively and functionally to unite the mechanism which operates the cover with the mechanism which operates the headlamp. There f are two links92, one at each leg 48.

The shaft 82 extends across the vehicle through the hood and at lthe opposite side of the vehicle is connectedto the cover mechanism on that side of the vehicle as shown in Figure 7. In this ligure there is no gear segment 12 because none is needed and the spacer 18' is sufliciently wider to l compensate for the thickness of the segment. The shaft preferably has a slip joint 96 at each end to accommodate the shaft to small inaccuracies in spacing or widths of vehicles and of vehicle fenders.

At the side of the vehicle where the lamp and cover mechanisms are equipped with the gear segment 12, a gear wheel 98 is turnably mounted on a shaft or bolt |00 mounted in the plate 58 and the side of the box 32. A nut |02 holds the bolt |00 in place and a spacer |04 is positioned between the gear 98 and the wall of the box 32. The gear wheel 98 is always in mesh with the gear sector 12. A

A plate |06 is mounted on the wallof the box of .the legs can strike against the headlamp sup- CIV 32 and ve grooved rollers |08 are rotatably mounted on the plate. Four of these rollers are mounted in pairs as is shown in Figure 4, and the fifth roller is positioned between the two pairs and substantially under the axis of rotation of the gear wheel 98. .Between the pairs of rollers and on the fifth roller there is slidably mounted a bar |0 having a rack l2 on its upper surface. This rack I2 is constantly in mesh with the gearI wheel 98.

vThe end of the bar |0 extends rearwardly out of the box 32 andy has rigidly connected thereto the ends of two metal push-and-pull bars 4 and ||6. The bars ||4 and ||6 extend to the instrument board and at the rear of the board are connected to a block ||8, internally threaded and mounted on a worm shaft |20, the end |22 of which is turnably mounted in a bracket |23 securedto the instrument board |0. An operatinghandle |24 is rigidly secured to the end |22 of the worm shaft |20 The other end |26 of the Worm is turnably mounted in a bracket |28 secured to the bracket |23 and to the instrument panel |0. 4

Referring to Figure 2, it is to be noted that the cover or shutter 4 is in the position'it occupies when the opening I2 is completely covered, and the headlamp is in its retracted position within the box 32 under the fender. In this position of` the parts the legs 64 at the top of the figure abut against the headlamp support 46 to limit the movement of the parts of the mechanisms. The upper arms 64 are provided with recesses |30 to receive the support 46. The headlamp I6 moves between the legs 64 of the bracket 60 in its movement to and from the opening I2, but inasmuch as the arms 48 of the headlamp support are outside the legs 64, the recesses |30 port 46. w

To cause the operation of the mechanisms from the position of Figure 2 to that of Figure 4, the operator will turn the handle |24 to cause the rack 2 to be moved to the right (Figure 2).

. The gear segment 12 will be moved through the intermediary of the gear 98. The segment 12 is rigid with the bracket V60 and the bracket will now move on the axis of parts 14 and 82 from the Figure 2 position to that of Figure 4. In this movement the weather seal at 28 and 38 will be broken and the cover |4 will be moved on an arc upwardly and rearwardly until it is inside the box and in the position of the parts shown in Figure 4. l

The cover mechanism is connected to the lamp mechanism by the links 92 and during the movementr of the cover described in the preceding paragraph, the links 92 will push on the arms 48 of the lamp mechanism to move the arms and.I the lamp support 46 on the common axis of the bolts from the position of Figure 2 to that of Figure 4. This movement of the support will cause the lamp I6 to swing upwardly and forwardly or outwardly on an arc with the axis of The lamp will move upwardly and forwardly or koutwardly (Figure 2) between the arms 64 of the bracket 60 until it reaches the position illustrated in Figure 4. In theinal position (Figure 4) the rubber ring 28 will be pressed. against flange 29 at the edge of the opening I2 to form a weathertight seal and lugs |32 on the lower legs 64 (Figure 2) will strikeagainst the support 46 to limit the movement of themechanisms. l

'I'he operation of the parts just described for operatethebars i l l `I claim:

:escasos thelamp and cover at the gear segment `side of:

theV vehicle will be duplicatedibvitlie lamp and v l cover `attire other side, the movement-or operationbeing;` transmitted across i the vehicle by the Shaft'g'az, ,i

`To cause the movement of ,thev parts` from the position shownlin Figure 4 tothat shown inFigure `2, the hand` crank l2!!l is turned in a directionqto `cause the rack. HZato be `moved to the left (Figure 4).. ;This `will `cause the. headlamps I6 to move out ofthe openings 12 and under the fenders and also cause the covers 1M, to `move `over the,- openings to; closethem.

`Instead for `me naine` crank` "|24, it is `within the purview of the inventionto` use a4 source of power, such as an electric motor `or a flexible shaft 'operated by the engine of ,the vehicle, .to

l 14,1, ltl` and thebar I IVIJ.

1.In a' retractable 'headlampffor automotive; vehicle `haviig-front fenders provided with `.openingsjto receive the headlamps,` amovable `cover adapted to be'positioned` over each opening when the` lamps are inl retractedvpostion, brackets,pivotally` mounted in the fender at the tive vehicle lhaving `front `fenders provided with openings'` to; receive the headlampa a movable coveradapted to be positioned over each opening when `theV lamps are in retractedposition,` brack ets having legs pivotally `mounted in the `fender at therearxof `the openings, said covers secured to said brackets, headlampsin the `fenders,one

`headlamp atthe' rear of each fender opening.4

and` adapted `to be moved between the legsuof said brackets into and` away from the openings;`

V au `headlamp support secured toi each lamp, said supports lbeingv positioned between the brackets` andbeing journallymounted in the fender, means to interconnect the` brackets and the headlamp supports to cause the` covers and the `lamps toi move inunison, said lamps being in retracted positionunderthe. fender when the fender open.`

` ings; are closed by the covers and said covers be` .1 l ing in` retracted `position under the lfenderiwhen rear` of the openingsiysaid covers secured to said brackets, a gearsegment secured tol one* ofthe brackets on the aXisof-movement thereof,; head-,j i lamps in .the rendersene headlamp at the rear of each fender opening and adapted to be moved into and away fromlthe openings,` a. headlamp support secured to each` lamp, saidlsupports be? ing journal'ly mountedin ,the fender, meansto l interconnect the brackets andthe headlamp sup ports to cause the, covers andthe lamps to move` l n inlunison, means to interconnect the brackets,

o-n opposite sides of` theivehicle to cause the covers and they lamps on opposite Vehicle sides to move together and in unisornand means mount-` 2. Ina retractable headlamp for an autornotive vehicle having front fenders providedwith,`

openings to receive the headlamps, a` movablef cover adapted tobe positioned over each opening; when the lamps are` in retracted position, .brackets pivotallymounted, in the fender at the rear l l n of the openings, said covers secured `to said;` bracketspa gear segment secured toene of the` brackets on the` axis'` of .movement thereof, a gear.` journally mounted in the fender and meshing with `the segmenaheadlamps in the fenders, one,A `headlamp at the rear of eachffender opening` and adaptednto be moved into and `away from `the openings, al l'ieadlampV support secured to` each lamp, sai-d supports; beingjournally mounted in the fender, means-to interconnect thebrackets and` the headlamp supports to` causethe covers and the lamps to move in unison, means to in-` l terconnect the brackets onvopposite `sides of the` vehicle tofcause then covers and thelampson ope;

` posits vehicle sides toimovge together andin unison, anda rack mounted in the fender andmeshfV ingwith` the gear to; operate the same to move i the brackets to cause `thecovers `and the lamps tomove in unison, said lamps being in retracted position whenthe fenderA openingsarefclosed by l the covers and said coversfbei'ng inlretracted pothelampsare infthelopenings. Y

4, Inayretraotable headlamp for` an automa tive vehicle :having front fenders provided with` openings to` receive,4 the headlamps,` a movable covery adapted to be positioned over each opening `when thelamps arefin retracted position, brack-L` 'ets' `pivotally mounted in the fender at thereal:`

of the openings, saidcovers secured to saidbrack` ets, headlamps inthe fenders at the rear of. eachl fender openingfand adapted to be` moved intel l andaway from the openings, a headlamp support` secured to each lamp,said supports being jour-` g l nally mounted in the fender, means to intercom-1` neet the brackets and the `headlamp supports, tor j causezthe coversand thelampsto move in unison'p` y means on the` brackets` to ,strike` against said` t l n supports `to prevent further movement of the n mechanism when; the covers arein position `to f closethe openings saidlamps being in retracted position Whenthe fenderopenings` are` closed by` the` covers and` said covers `being `in retractedli `position when the lamps are in zthevopenings.

5. In a retractable headlamp foranjautomotive vehiclewhaving' front fenders ,provided` with` i openings to receive `the headlamps,` a movable cover adapted `to be positioned` over each opening` when the lamps are in retractedposition,` brack-` ets pivotally mounted in 'the fender at` the rear" of theopenings, said covers secured to, said brackets;` headlampsin the fenders at the rear of eachv fender opening `and adapted to` be moved; into andaway from theopenings, a headlampjsupport secured to each lamp, said supports being ,jour-` nally mounted in the fender, means to interconnect the brackets and the headlampsupports' to cause the covers andthe lampsftomoveinunisonr l meanson `the brackets to strike against said sup-` l l n ports to prevent further movementof thelmechi anisrnwhen the lamps are in positioninthe openi ingssaid lamps being in retracted positionfwhen the` fenderopenings are closed by the coversand said covers being inretracted position when the` lamps are in the openings. y l i (i.` In retractable headlamps for `an automotive vehiclehaving a fender at eachside ozfv the vel hicle eachfender having an opening for a headl l lamp, a` box built into eaclrfender under the same, pivot members secured in'each box, a head# i lamp` support pivoted in each box on the pivot l i members,` said headlampsbeing secured to said` supports and 'movable therewith, a shaft jour-` nalediinI said boxes and extending across the` I` vehicle from", onebox to the other, brackets se n cured to the shaft in each box and movable withI the shaft,fa` cover ineach box secured to the l u bracketsfand-movable-l therewitl'r` to cover "the H opening or uncover the same, a link interconnecting each support for a\headlamp with the adjacent bracket to cause the brackets and supports to move simultaneously and `in unison, said simultaneous movement causing the covers on both sides of the vehicleto move away from the fender openings and the corresponding lamps to move into ythe openings or vice versa, and manual means to operate the shaft to cause the movement 'of the brackets and supports.

7. In retractable headlamps for an automotive vehicle having a fender at each side of the vehicle, each fender having an opening for a headlamp, a box built into each fender under the same, a pivot member secured to each side of each box, a headlamp support pivotd in each box on the pivot' members and extending across the box, said headlamps being secured to said supports and movable therewith' into or away from the openings, a shaft journaled in the sides of said boxes and extending across the vehicle from one box to the other, brackets secured to the shaft in each box and movable with the shaft,

a cover in each box secured to the brackets and 8. Ina retractable headlamp for an automotive` vehicle having front fenders provided with openings to receive the headlamps, a movable cover adapted to be positioned over each opening when the lamps are in retracted position, .brackets pivotally mounted in .the fender at the rear of the openings, said covers secured to said brackets, headlamps in the fenders, one' headlamp at the rear of each fender opening and adaptedto be moved into and away from the openings, a headlamp support secured to each lamp, said supports being journally mounted in the fender on an axis parallel to the pivotal axis ,of the brackets, a link positively to interconnect the brackets and the headlamp supports to cause the covers and the lamps to move in unison, said lamps moving toward said openings simultaneously with the movement of said covers from said openings or vice versa, said lamps being in retracted position when the fender openings are closed by the lcovers, and said covers being in retracted position when the lamps are in the openings.

9. In a retractable headlamp for an automotive vehicle having front fenders provided with openings to receive the headlamps, a movable cover adapted to be positioned over each opening when the lamps are in retracted position, brackets having spaced legs pivotally mounted inthe fender at the rear of the openings, said covers secured to said brackets, a gear segment secured to 'one of the brackets on the axis of movement thereof, headlamps in the fenders, one headlamp at the rear` of each fender opening and adapted to -be moved into and away from the openings, a headlamp support secured to each lamp, legs on said supports journally mounted in the fender, means to interconnect the legs of the brackets and the legsof the headlamp supports to cause the covers and the lamps to move in unison, said lamps moving toward said openings simultaneously with the movement of said covers from said openings or 4 vice versa, means to interconnect the brackets on opposite sides of the vehicle to cause the covers and the lamps on opposite vehicle sidesto move together and in unison, and means mounted-in the fender and connected to the gear segment to operate the same tov move the brackets to cause the covers and the lamps to move in unison, said lamps being in retracted position when the fender openings are closed by the covers and said covers being in retracted position when the lamps are in the openings.

' 10. In'a retractable headlamp for an automotive vehicle havin-g front fenders provided with openings toreceive the headlamps,` a movable cover adapted to be positioned over each opening when the lamps are in retracted position, brackets having legs pivotally mounted in the fender at the rear of the openings, said covers secured to said brackets, a gear segment secured to one of the legs of the brackets on the axis of movement thereof, a gear journally mounted in the fender and meshing with the segment, headlamps in the fenders, one headlamp at the rear of each fender opening and adapted to be moved into and away from the openings, a headlamp supp-ort secured to each lamp, legs on said supports journally mounted in the fender, means to interconnect the less of the brackets and the legs of the lheadlamp supports to cause the covers and thelamps to move in unison, means to interconnect the brackets on opposite sides of the vehicle to cause the covers and the lamps on opposite vehicle sides to move together and in unison, and a rack mounted in the fender and `meshing with the gear to operate the same to move the brackets to cause the covers and the lamps to move in unison, said lamps .being in retracted position when the fender openings are closed by the'covers and said covers cover adapted to be positioned over each opening when the lamps are in retracted position, brackets having legs pivotally mounted in the fender at the rear of the openings, said covers secured to said brackets, headlamps in the fenders at the rear of each fender opening and adapted to be in position to close the openings, means to interconnect the brackets on opposite sides of the vehicle to cause the covers and the lamps on opposite vehicle sides to move together and in unison, and means mounted in the fender and connected to the brackets to operate the same to cause the covers and the lamps to move in unison, -said lamps Ibeing in retracted position when the fender openings areclosed by the covers and said covers being in retracted position when the lamps arev in the openings; v

l2. In a retractable headlamp for an-automotive vehicle having front fenders providedv with openings to receive the headlamps, a movable cover adapted to be positioned over each opening when `the lamps Vare in retracted position,

lirackets having legs pivotally mounted in the fender' at the rear of the openings, said covers secured to said brackets, headlamps in the fend ers at the rear of each fender opening and adaptl to movei in unison, the legs of said supports ex`- tending outside the legs of said brackets to cause the legs of said supports and of said brackets to in position in the openings, means to interconnect the brackets on opposite sides of the vehicle to' cause the covers and the lamps on opposite vehi` cle sides to move together and in unison,` and means mounted in the fender. and connected to the brackets to` operate the same to cause the v covers and thelamps to move in unison, said. V lamps being in retracted position when the fender I strike against each other to prevent further openings are closed by the covers and said covers being in retracted position when the lamps are in the openings. l v

FRANK` HUMER.

v movement of the mechanism when the lamps are 

